The International Soccer Game of Futsal Finds A Home

Place:
Ashburn Village Sports Pavilion in Ashburn, VA.

Date:
21-22 June 2003


Futsal or Futebol de Salon, translated “indoor soccer”, of the international variety, has found a home at the Ashburn Village Sports Pavilion in Ashburn, VA. The game of futsal differs in many ways from the American version of indoor you may be familiar with. It is a five-a-side game played on a basketball court, although it can be played on a variety of surfaces. The game does not require the use of expensive dasher boards like American indoor but uses the boundaries of the court instead. This makes futsal a very economical sport and much safer than other versions of the game. Brazilian soccer icons such as Pele, Zico, Socrates, Romario, Bebeto, Ronaldo and Sissi grew up playing Futsal on the many courts found throughout Brazil. They credit the game for developing their skills, sharpening reflexes and improving their decision making under pressure. It is the only form of indoor soccer officially sanctioned by FIFA and is played by over 12 million people worldwide.

The Ashburn Village Sports Pavilion has caught the futsal fever that is spreading in Northern Virginia thanks to such organizations as the Washington Area Youth Futsal League and the Virginia Futsal Association that run leagues and promote various tournaments in the region. In February the Sports Pavilion hosted an all comers Futsal Tournament that drew over one hundred and fifty players from around Loudoun County and the Washington Metro area including the Brazilian Embassy Futsal Team in the men’s select division. Some of the regions best youth teams showed up as well led by division Champion Cyclones on the boy’s side and the VA Premiership for the girls. A team of Loudoun youth soccer coaches took the Adult Recreational Division title in stunning fashion. More than 300 spectators filled the gym over the weekend to enjoy watching some 40 matches.

Well they are doing it again. Registration for the second Ashburn Village futsal tournament at the Sports Pavilion will open on May 1. The tournament will be held June 21-22 with Men’s Select & Adult Recreational divisions competing for Division Champion in front of a standing room only crowd.
To find out more about futsal try visiting these sites.

www.futsal.com
www.futsalplanet.com
www.futsal.org


The Ashburn Village Sports Pavilion is a not for profit Community Sports & Fitness Center owned and operated by the Ashburn Village Community Association. It is located on Ashburn Village Boulevard in Ashburn, VA. For tournament information contact Mike Meyers @ 703-729-0581 or online at www.ashburnvillage.org

Michael J. Meyers
Ashburn Village Sports Pavilion
Activities Director/Op's Manager
703-729-0581
mmeyers@ashburnvillage.org